By: Justin Boone
Familiar faces will be a plenty tonight as the Ticats take the field at McMahon Stadium.
Three members of the Tabbies 2007 defence now make their home in Calgary including defensive backs Richard Karikari and Dwight Anderson, as well as a former Ivor Wynne Stadium fan-favourite in linebacker JoJuan Armour.
“I can already hear JoJuan,” joked OG George Hudson. “We were four provinces over this week but I could still hear him.”
Prior to sharing the field in Hamilton, Hudson faced Armour when the two were playing for Ottawa and B.C., respectively. So he knows what the Ticats offensive line will be in store for Thursday night, not only from a match-up standpoint, but verbally as well.
“Playing with him and against him is fun because you need those guys who are loud. Good or bad, as long as they’re talking it’s funny.”
“He’s a smart linebacker. Some guys at his position want to take on the offensive line, which isn’t wise because we’re much bigger and stronger than they are. JoJuan is similar to Zeke (Moreno), he’s the type of guy who won’t let you grab him, he’ll do whatever he can to keep your hands off him, which makes it harder on us. But once we do grab him, it means game over for him.”
In last year’s playoffs, the Stampeders fell in the West Division Semi-Finals to the eventual Grey Cup Champion, Saskatchewan Roughriders. The loss must have a tough pill to swallow for such a star-studded team, which may have led to them stealing the Riders Grey Cup model of signing as many former Ticats as possible.
Their off-season moves have worked out well for both clubs, as they each enter the game improved on their records from a year ago through three games. Hudson is excited to continue the team’s early season success on the ground, even if it means running at his former teammate.
“I’m looking forward to playing against him, I miss that guy.”
The Breakdown
OG George Hudson Calgary’s defence…
“They have a pretty good D-line, they rotate in some guys. They usually stick with a 40-front, either under or over. Their three-technique guy is a pretty big dude, Eddie Freeman. He’s a 6’5, 300-pound gu
y, almost like Darrell Adams, but a little bit heavier and a little bit slower. Calgary has historically had good linebackers and this year is no different. They like to bring some pressures, like a six-man blitz. I think we’ll be alright picking it up. They’re going to throw some twists at us, but we’ve been doing a pretty good job this season picking them up. They’re a good defence, but they give some tells on what they’re going to do, and I think we’re smart enough on offence to see them.”
DE Nautyn McKay Loescher on Calgary’s offence…
“Henry Burris is one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the CFL. He has an experienced receiving corps with Copeland, Rambo, Lewis and Ralph, and a talented back in Joffrey Reynolds. They are very veteran on offence with the exception of their O-line, which is kind of new with Hall, Newman and Tsoumpas who are young kids, but they do have vets in Lazeo and Pilon. They work together well, and put up some big points when they need to. I’m sure Creehan knows a lot of Burris’ tendencies in terms of what he likes to do and what he doesn’t like to do, but he’s going to take this like any other game.”
Under The Radar
DL – Terrence Patrick – Tiger-Cats
A member of the clichéd “Facing their former team club,” the 6’5, 260-pound Patrick had 11 sacks over the past two seasons while playing for the Stamps. This week he will line up on the Tabbies defensive line and look to chase down Burris like he used to do in practice in Calgary, only now he has full clearance to knock the grin off of Smilin’ Hank.
DT – Eddie Freeman – Calgary
As George Hudson mentioned, Freeman is a force in the centre of the Stamps’ D-line. After spending five years in the NFL, Freeman joined the Stamps at the end of 2007. He could provide problems for the Cats rushing attack, but if the Tabbies quick backs can get away from him, Freeman doesn’t pose much of a threat in chasing them downfield. Look for C Marwan Hage to help Hudson nullify Freeman’s impact.
Final Notes
– A few changes to the lineup this week, with WR Prechae Rodriguez getting his first start of the season. RB Terry Caulley stepping back onto the active roster, and DL Terrence Patrick moving inside on the defensive line with DE Charlton Keith occupying the vacated end spot.
– LS Tyson Craiggs will take over long snapping duties from Matt Robichaud, who is nursing an injury.
– After having RB Jesse Lumsden charge directly into his back last week on a rushing play, C Marwan Hage sported “STOP!” on the back of his jersey in practice. Luckily for Hage, RB Tre Smith and RB Terry Caulley are more about eluding tacklers than plowing through them.
